'Drywaller Bandit' arrested, identity revealed

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A man believed to be the so-called "Drywaller Bandit" - a serial thief responsible for a six-month spree of armed bank robberies in San Diego and Los Angeles counties - was arraigned Friday on two federal charges.

John Leendert Oskam was ordered held without bail pending a hearing Tuesday before Magistrate Judge Jan Adler.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Ko asked for detention, saying Oskam was a danger to the community.

Oskam, 39, of Pasadena, is charged with armed bank robbery and use and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence.

The defendant, who said little during his brief court appearance Friday, was arrested Thursday following his 11th alleged holdup.

About 9:15 Thursday, a man wearing a dust mask and armed with a pistol robbed a Chase Bank branch office in the 100 block of North El Camino Real in

Encinitas, sheriff's Lt. Jim Walker said.

A few minutes later, arriving deputies spotted a man matching the description of the robber walking to the east near the bank. Seeing the patrol personnel, he broke into a run.

The deputies caught up with the suspect, later identified as Oskam, a short distance away and took him into custody.

THIS IS A STORY UPDATE. Read CBS 8's earlier story below.

ENCINITAS (CNS) - A man believed believed to be the so-called "Drywaller Bandit" -- a serial thief responsible for a six-month spree of armed bank robberies in San Diego and Los Angeles counties -- was captured Thursday following his 11th alleged holdup.

About 9:15 a.m. Thursday, a thief wearing a dust mask and armed with a pistol robbed a Chase Bank branch office in the 100 block of North El Camino Real in Encinitas, sheriff's Lt. Jim Walker said.

A few minutes later, arriving deputies spotted a man matching the description of the robber walking to the east near the bank. Seeing the patrol personnel, he broke into a run.

The deputies caught up with the suspect a short distance away, at Encinitas Boulevard and Village Square Drive, and took him into custody.

The man, now identified as 39-year-old John Oskam from Pasadena, was taken to the Encinitas Sheriff's Station to be interviewed. He is expected to be booked into the Metropolitan Correctional Center and arraigned in U.S. District Court in San Diego.

The "Drywaller Bandit," so named by investigators due to the type of construction-style mask he wore during his crimes, is believed to have robbed the following banking offices, several of them twice: